Douluo Dalu/Soul Land's

Baby 261s

Chapter 261

First Battle of Tang San and Auntie Dong

(TL by Bagelson)

"No–"

Chrysanthemum Douluo watched the wide golden light polearm coming out from the Ghost Douluo's back, an intense golden light instantly spreading to every part of Ghost Douluo's body, and he could not help but roar furiously. His speed reached the limit, and from his hands the Sky Velvet Chrysanthemum flew out, directly towards Tang San.

But he understood that, at this moment, it was already too late. The title Douluo Gui Mei no longer had a chance to come back alive. The death energy that his body emitted was instantly evaporated by the gigantic polearm. Ghost Douluo's body was already completely frozen, unable to move a step.

The Seagod Trident, weighing eight-eight thousand jin, moreover when Ghost Douluo was already corroded by Seagod's Light, all of his death energy was substantially diverted, even if his body still maintained ideal conditions, how is it possible to blood the Trident Seagod with a physical palm. Tang San's spirit power wasn't much lower than him, and his strength was even higher than his, plus the Seagod Trident's complete strength unleashed, he said, even the number one power in Tang Chen Continent needed to use heavenly tools of the same quality to block.

Pu—— Ghost Douluo's body was crazily purified by the Light Seagod, turning into a wisp of black smoke that rose into the air, black spirit bones falling from his body. Pulling back the Seagod Trident, the left branch only pulled that spirit bone, and at the same time, a teleportation was launched. The next moment, Tang San was already a hundred meters away. He did not approach the two forest kings, but rather quickly retreated. Because, if he charged forward, his goal would be revealed, and furthermore would expose himself to the attacks of five Title Douluo including Auntie Dong. But by retreating, not only could he open the distance step by step, he could simultaneously make the opponent hesitate. From the fact that Auntie Dong had still not acted, one could see that she was afraid that something would happen on Da Ming and Er Ming's side.

Several loud noises erupted from Tang San's previous location, especially the full power of the Strange Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum creating a hole a hundred meters in diameter around it.

"Old ghost!"

Douluo's chrysanthemum shouted, throwing itself to where the Douluo Ghost had just died, trembling with tears falling from his eyes.

He and Ghost Douluo had been together for over sixty years, a lifetime. Their feelings were quite deep, even surpassing those of blood-related brothers. Now seeing Ghost Douluo suddenly die in front of him, not even leaving behind a corpse, the Douluo Chrysanthemum was in pain worse than death.

Whether for the Douluo Chrysanthemum or the others, all of this happened too quickly, almost so they were still not reacting. From the appearance of that cloaked figure to the death of Ghost Douluo, everything passed in an instant. Instantly killing Title Douluo was unimaginable. Even if it was a sneak attack, it still had never happened. Although Auntie Dong was convinced that her strength was unreasonable, she still needed to use her strongest spirit ability to have a chance to instantly kill power at the level of Title Douluo.

Tang San was able to do so naturally not because his strength exceeded that of Auntie Dong, but was immense due to luck, and the Seagod Trident's restraint to Ghost Douluo became too severe, plus the attacks from the ambush, were too great, everyone has set this step. Of course, that Ghost Douluo knew nothing about the Seagod Trident, was also an important factor.

A moment after teleporting, Tang San again disappeared in the forest. The Blue Silver Domain spread out, easily hiding its aura, and at the same time restarting the Vast Sea Barrier allowed it to hide once more.

Without even seeing the spirit bone that Ghost Douluo had dropped, he simply quickly stuffed it into the Hundred Treasure Purse, grabbing the Seagod Trident, Tang San quietly spun in the other direction. In order not to be discovered by Auntie Dong, he actually stored his own mental strength within the protection of the vast Sea Barrier. Like this, even if Seagod Douluo Bo Saixi was here, it would be very difficult for him to find her as long as she did not attack.

The sudden death of Ghost Douluo both shocked Auntie Dong. He had just thought it was impossible for someone to stop him from taking the two kings of the forest. But the death of the elder of an elder, and the Ghost Douluo with spirit fusion ability at that moment, immediately made his angry heart wary. The mental strength that was frozen in the two forest kings immediately spread, searching warily, and at the same time he ordered the four Titles of Douluo to stay close to him.

They had already lost two Douluo titles in this operation, and although Auntie Dong did not care about their lives, they were the core strength of the Spirit Empire. Of course he would feel his heart ache.

"Your Majesty, the old ghost .... You must avenge him!"

The Douluo Chrysanthemum that had always treated Auntie Dong's orders because her life was now barely able to contain itself, the other three Douluo Titles were also secretly watching Auntie Dong, inwardly feeling somewhat like sympathetic.

“Older Yue Gang, calm down. The death of Ghost Douluo made me sad, but this person is very strong, it's possible that they are not weaker than me. Stay within ten meters of me, and be careful. We will kill the two forest kings first, to prevent more accidents. ”

Auntie Dong's voice contained her mental strength, and with the sound wave attack, the minds of the four elders of the Spirit Empire trembled. Douluo's Chrysanthemum expression calmed down slightly, but the grudge in his eyes grew even deeper, sharply watching the surroundings, hoping he could tear the Ghost Douluo assassin into ten thousand pieces.

After Tang San retreated some distance, he had no contact with Da Ming and Er Ming, nor did he try to launch any more attacks. Four Titles Douluo Auntie Dong went through carefully observing the two great heavenly spirit beasts, and she remained silent, silently watching.

Da Ming and Er Ming personally saw Ghost Douluo being killed. They were spirit beasts, especially those that were sensitive to scents, and although Tang San was holding the Seagod Trident, wrapping himself in a robe, they still immediately identified Tang San's smell. The eyes of the two great heavenly beasts instantly shone.

As they say, adding flowers to brocade is easy, sending charcoal in a blizzard is difficult. When surrounded by these many Spirit Hall experts, Tang San was able to come in time, warming the hearts of those close to the despair of the two great saint beasts. They even felt more that Xiao Wu did not choose the wrong person. And the strength Tang San displayed shocked them. Even they could not resist the light of the Seagod Trident.

Hope was revived, Da Ming and Er Ming looked at each other, then turned from sitting to crawling. Faint energy fluctuations began to condense around them. They say a centipede dies but never falls, even more so for a hundred-year-old spirit beast. Although they were extremely injured, their potential was too high, their auras changed from chaotic to serious. Tang San's appearance, apart from giving them hope, also gave them confidence. Not a belief to survive, but a belief not to be Auntie Dong's spirit ring.

Auntie Dong's expression hidden under the purple carapace was rather ugly. His initial plan was perfectly ruined by the sudden appearance of the enemy. Now waiting until the two great saint beasts died by themselves because of the poison was unrealistic. Since that hidden enemy could escape his mental detection, his strength was clear. Just in case he ended up attacking and killing two spirit beasts, even if it was only one, it would still be a huge loss to him. That person was extremely fast, and could hide as well, his attack power was also extremely powerful. It was very likely an Agility Title Douluo attack. But, in Auntie Dong's impression, the agility type of attack was not that powerful.

The Seagod Trident was equally shocking. He was someone who approached that boundary, and equally completely rejected that holy aura, that the trident was a heavenly tool, there was no doubt about it.

As it moved forward, Auntie Dong's mental strength simultaneously reached the fourth ear of the surrounding Title Douluo,

“I will soon attack the two kings of the forest. You four guards in all directions, now the matter in which direction that person appears, you should block him. Until I killed them both. Understood it? The death of Ghost Douluo is due to the sneak attack and holding back attributes, you have nothing to fear. When you're ready, it won't be easy for that person to kill you. Don't tarnish your status as a Douluo Title. ”

The stronger they were, the more accurate their judgment was against the opponent. Auntie Dong looked very accurately, although Tang San was strong, it was impossible for him to ambush the four Titles Douluo was ready. Instantly killing the Title Douluo was not something that could be done at any time.

Da Ming and Er Ming were fixedly watching the people of the approaching Spirit Empire, constantly giving low roars. Er Ming was surrounded by a rising yellow light, cyan light twinkling around Da Ming, especially the horns on the bull's head even more causing furious ripples.

Auntie Dong's eyes were really serious. Facing two hundred thousand years of savage spirits counterattacking at the door of death, even he was not completely confident, even more so when there was a hidden enemy nearby.

In an instant, Auntie Dong leaned forward close to the ground, her purple carapace instantly spread out, her entire body becoming an enormous spider, the green hairs on his eight legs that the spider simultaneously turned purple, he emitted a faded purple light, and where it passed, all of them withered.

The other Four Titles Douluo simultaneously moved several steps to the side, away from the purple light. This was Auntie Dong's spirit avatar, the Death Spider Emperor.

The purple light instantly grew even more intense, and the eighth black spirit ring around Auntie Dong suddenly flashed, a dazzling purple light frozen on the left side of her body, light and shadow playing out, as well, suddenly the other was identical to the Death Spider Emperor.

This was the eighth spirit ability of Auntie Dong's first spirit, the Spider Emperor Clone. Effect: the ability of the spirit to create clones with one hundred percent of the main body power, without intelligence, must be controlled.

This hundred percent strength was not only a physical body, but also included spirit abilities. Of course, only the seven spirit abilities were before, not the eighth and ninth.

The spider emperor's clone leaped under Auntie Dong's control, stepped in front of him, and accelerated forward along with the main body, charging towards Da Ming and Er Ming like two purple ghosts.

A third spirit ability flashed, and two purple spider webs shot out simultaneously, enveloping Da Ming and Er Ming in a dense purple energy. The spider webs quickly expanded in the air, and although Da Ming and Er Ming were huge, when the spider webs reached them, they were already large enough to wrap around.

At the same time, Auntie Dong's main body and the fourth spirit ring of the Spider Emperor Clone were bright, and one one meter-long dark purple spike covered each part of the two bodies, covering each part of the two bodies, the purple carapace also became very thick. This was his fourth spirit ability, the Thistle Spider Armor. This was a pure defensive ability, but at the same time poisonous purple spikes.

In this state Auntie Dong also used her full strength, attacking without neglecting the defense.

Right at this moment, Auntie Dong's accusation suddenly slowed down, as her mental strength suddenly sensed two mental fluctuations appear within range, and two fluctuations connected to Da Ming and Er Ming. This sudden mental wave was of an extremely high level, not even the other four Douluo Titles could sense it, let alone disturb it.

What the hell is he doing? This was the thought that Auntie Dong could not suppress, and her original charge also instantly came to a halt. The next moment, he clearly saw the eyes of the two great saint beasts brighten.

Two yellow green light bulbs suddenly appeared behind them, immediately spreading in the air, just in time to block the two spider webs he had launched. Using the spider web against the spider web, it was the Tang San Spider Spider.

Launching the attack, Tang San also appeared at the same time. But the next moment, Tang San, Da Ming, and Er Ming disappeared simultaneously.

This time, Tang San instantly appeared a golden blue, blue golden light spread out, covering the sky and earth, instantly transforming the environment into a golden blue sea. It was the Boundless Nature of the Blue Silver Domain.

Da Ming and Er Ming roared at the same time, the Slowing and Gravitational Domain were also simultaneously launched. The circle of cyan and yellow light extended along with the Blue Silver Domain. Whether Auntie Dong or the fourth Title Douluo, it immediately felt like their bodies were frozen. Under the full strength of Da Ming and Er Ming, their movements slowed down completely.

"Groan!"

Auntie Dong roared. Although he had brought six Douluo Titles, none of them had a domain. Only he has that ability. A deep purple light spread from him, intending to use the domain against the domain. But, in the end Auntie Dong could not stand in her way. The purple light he released was blocked by the growing vitality, and could not spread to Da Ming and Er Ming.

Indeed, Auntie Dong's domain was extremely powerful, completely surpassing Tang San or the two spirit beasts. But, in one against three, and moreover facing three different types of domains, it was difficult for him to avoid oppression. Moreover, when this was the Star Dou Great Forest, an ideal environment for the Blue Silver Domain. The domain is completely blocked. At the same time the golden blue world lost the figures of Tang San, Da Ming and Er Ming.

Auntie Dong's territory was referred to as the Death Domain, the innate domain of the Emperor of Death Spiders, with extremely powerful effects, all three of them once he reached his current cultivation. All of his own attributes were strengthened by ten percent, all of the enemy attributes were reduced by twenty percent, and were unable to use stealth or teleportation abilities within his reach, and at the same time led to mental prevention, his own mental strength increased by twenty percent, the enemy's mental strength was reduced by twenty percent. But the most frightening effect is a highly toxic environment.

Wherever the domain reached was filled with the poison of the Death Spider Emperor. Extreme corrosion and diffusion, and can also lower the enemy's speed by up to ten percent. If they were poisoned, their bodies would continue to weaken, until death. If used in battle, it was a disastrous existence for ordinary warriors.

Da Ming and Er Ming had previously also lost due to this domain, and adding Auntie Dong's own formidable attack ability, they ended up like this.

Auntie Dong did not advance recklessly, the scene of Tang San killing Ghost Douluo had left a too deep impression on her. Although his domain could not hold back the opponent, Tang San's Blue Silver Domain was also restrained by him, unable to envelop him. But his heart was already in chaos. His mental locks on Da Ming and Er Ming's mental signatures had been forcibly damaged when they were enveloped by the Blue Silver Domain. In other words, he had already lost the position of two heavenly great beings.

This situation was of course caused by Tang San. Actually, Tang San was no less surprised than Auntie Dong. When he saw Auntie Dong before he only felt that this Great Spirit Hall of the Pope was powerful, but he did not know to what extent. But it might be assumed it was still the power level of Title Douluo, he was after all the same age as the Grandmaster.

But, when they met again this time, Tang San's mental strength had already reached an infinite level, and he immediately saw some clues. Although Auntie Dong meticulously hid her presence, it was ineffective on Tang San who possessed the same level of mental strength. Tang San clearly sensed that Auntie Dong's spirit power had at least reached ninety-eight rank. Even if it was not higher than the Seagod Douluo Bo Saixi, it would still not be much different. Reaching this level at her age, Tang San was clearly shocked.

If Auntie Dong did not possess such strong strength, Da Ming and Er Ming faced only six Titles of Douluo, it would not be easy to defeat them in the Great Forest of a Dou Star, either, and running away won't be a problem.

Merely, although Auntie Dong was strong, the feeling she gave Tang San was that she relied on control, her attack power so far was not the same as Seagod Douluo Bo Saixi. Most importantly, Tang San secretly noticed that Auntie Dong even hated the Seagod Trident he was holding. Tang San used his Blue Silver Domain Boundless Nature at an ideal moment, thus breaking Auntie Dong's key on the two spirit beasts.

“Running won't be that easy. ”

“Running won't be that easy. ”

Auntie Dong laughed angrily, slightly swaying, pulling her spirit avatar, but she was still protected by the Emperor of the Death Spider.

The dark purple carapace quickly retreated, and in the blink of an eye, he returned to his original elegant appearance. On his forehead, the spider-shaped purple spider pattern brightened, and soon, the surrounding region expanded once again, enveloping the four Douluo Titles, expelling the influence of the Blue Silver Domain. At the same time, Auntie Dong's body changed again, the spider brand on her forehead instantly turned into a dark green, crystal-deep green light that radiated from her. This time, both of his legs did not change, but on his back appeared three pairs of dark green spider legs, both of his hands turned into dark green spears, a dark green spear, his lower body was completely covered by a layer of dark green light.

Black, black, black, black, black, red, red, seven spirit rings appeared neatly around him. The third spirit ring shone at the same time it was released.

That's right, this is Auntie Dong's second spirit. Her twin spirit was very different from Tang San. Blue Silver Domain Tang San and Clear Sky Hammer had no mutual relations. One was a plant-type spirit, one was a powerful tool spirit. But Aunt Dong's property is different. Both of his spirits were spider-type. It was even stronger than the Man Faced Demon Spider had shown. It was a true spider emperor, in some ways, it was the regent of an insect-type spirit beast.

His first spirit was the Emperor of the Death Spiders, and the second spirit was the Soul Eating Spiders Emperor, and as his current spirit ring showed, his spirit was, this second spirit was clearly cultivated only after the first one reached the nine rings.

Along with the shining third spirit ring, Auntie Dong's second spirit, the third spirit ability Soul Eating Spider Emperor was launched. Ring after ring of dark green light spread out from under his feet. Absolutely do not think that this is only the third spirit ability, in fact, after first having nine spirit rings and then adding the spirit ring to the second spirit, in fact, after first having nine spirit rings, any spirit ring with at least fifty thousand years of cultivation, the strength would not be slightly inferior to the abilities of the eighth spirit first spirit. As a result, although Auntie Dong now only had seven spirit rings, this second spirit power was stronger than her first nine spirit rings. After all, even though the spirit had changed, its spirit power was still no different.

Strange scenes happen. Even Tang San's Blue Silver Domain could not stop the dark purple light from spreading. As it spread, the ground started to tremble violently, and one after another, a half meter diameter dark green poisonous spider started to crawl out. These dark green poison spiders looked somewhat illusory, but they were still not formed from energy, but rather death energy that gathered and was affected by Auntie Dong's spirit abilities.

The Star Dou Great Forest was a place where the strong became weak prey, and every day countless ferocious beasts killed each other and died. Auntie Dong's spirit ability expended this death energy and turned it into this deadly poisonous spider.

Demon Spiders were really too many, they were everywhere, and started crawling quickly, hurriedly crossing the forest, and, looking for traces of Tang San and the two great saint beasts under Auntie Dong's careful mental control. This was Auntie Dong's third spirit ability, Devil Spider Summoning.

Perhaps these demon spiders would not be able to find Tang San, but it would be very easy for them to pick up Auntie Dong's poison scent on the Giant Titan Ape and the Blue Sky Snake. Auntie Dong could not see through the Blue Silver Domain, but relying on this spider he could once again target two great saint beasts, and then, he really wasn't going to give Tang San a second chance to confuse him.

Auntie Dong could not see Tang San, but Tang San saw very clearly inside the domain. Although Auntie Dong used the huer domain to protect her people from the influence of the Blue Silver Domain, but through the Blue Silver Domain, Tang San's mental strength was displayed to the greatest extent, comprehensively observe these people.

The frontal confrontation was unrealistic, Tang San had originally only planned to bring Da Ming and Er Ming along. Seeing the demon spider begin to spread out in all directions, Tang San let out a cold snort. Want to pull my attack? The Seagod's Light was the mortal enemy of this dead energy demon. But if I attack, don't I give you a chance to target me? You have a demon spider, don't tell me I don't have any help? Don't forget, this is the Star Dou Great Forest.

On the ground, the blue silver grass started to grow frantically, turning into long vines, swallowing the demon spider like a sea wave. A pair of transformed blue silver grass was certainly not enough to catch this beast, but if there were ten, a hundred? In by the aura of the Blue Silver Emperor's emperor, the blue silver grass, which had the most powerful vitality in the Great Star Dou Forest, began to counterattack.

Even though the demon spider that Auntie Dong called out to be so numerous, how could it compare to the blue silver grass in the giant forest? The soaring vitality breath from the blue silver grass became the main enemy of this demon spider, and one drained the golden thread after the other quickly fell on them, extracting their energy and once again replenishing the two great heavenly beasts. Aided by the Blue Silver Emperor Binding, Da Ming and Er Ming quickly reached Tang San. They had launched their final attack, and there was no strength left, and could only hand it over to Tang San.

Tang San understood. The gravity control and the throttling domain of Da Ming and Er Ming could not be maintained for too long. If these two domains lost their influence, it would be impossible for his Blue Silver Domain to go against Auntie Dong. They should leave as soon as possible. But, the Blue Silver Domain required complete control to block Auntie Dong's line of sight. If he were to take Da Ming and Er Ming away at this time, then Auntie Dong would definitely feel the domain weaken, and would naturally not hesitate to attack.

Making a quick decision, Tang San immediately took out Xiao Wu from the Hundred Treasure Purse. A light flashed, and Xiao Wu's soul returned to his body.

"Da Ming, Er Ming, how did you end up like this?"

Xiao Wu looked at the two comrades he had raised so pitifully, and his eyes immediately turned red.

And Da Ming and Er Ming could not help but be surprised to see the living Xiao Wu, without words.

Tang San spoke in a low voice:

“This is not a place to talk. Xiao Wu, you are also familiar with the terrain. Hurry and take them away. I'll watch over you and stop Auntie Dong for a bit. As long as you can get five li away, I'm sure I can use the Blue SIlver Domain to block his mental strength from finding you. Quick. ”

Tang San spoke in a low voice:

“This is not a place to talk. Xiao Wu, you are also familiar with the terrain. Hurry and take them away. I'll watch over you and stop Auntie Dong for a bit. As long as you can get five li away, I'm sure I can use the Blue SIlver Domain to block his mental strength from finding you. Quick. ”

Xiao Wu anxiously said:

"Then what about you?"

Tang San smiled gently, pointing to his eight spirit rings,

“Don't you believe I have the power? I'm not Tang San from before, maybe I still won't be able to defeat Auntie Dong, but I can escape from her. The Star Dou Great Forest is the most suitable place for me. Don't forget that I have a way to keep him from finding me. ”

Xiao Wu looked at the trust in Tang San's eyes, and knew that there was currently no room for him to hesitate. Tang San had three life-saving great trump cards in the Unbeatable Golden Body, Teleportation, as well as the Broad Sea Barrier. It was very impossible for Auntie Dong to prevent her from leaving. Even more so when he had the protection of the Seagod Trident.

“Ge, remember, we are one. ”

Saying this, Xiao Wu brought Da Ming and Er Ming who were very encouraged to immediately move. Da Ming and Er Ming were great, but Xiao Wu's physical toughness was also very different now. One hand supported each of them, giving them strength, greatly lowering the burden of the two spirit beasts and making them move quickly.

Tang San of course understood what Xiao Wu said before he left. He told her that if she died, she would not survive either. They certainly do not have to worry about not being able to contact each other. Even though Xiao Wu's soul had become much stronger, even after returning to his body, he still could not move more than ten li from Tang San, and Tang San could also at any time rely on the connection between their souls to find her. .

Da Ming and Er Ming left, and Tang San immediately focused, thinking to himself, Auntie Dong, I will play with you properly, and also see how strong you are.

Isolated by the Blue Silver Domain screen as well as Tang San's mental strength, Auntie Dong naturally had no idea what was happening there. Tang San exploited the Blue Silver Emperor in the forest to stop his summoned demon spider angering him. He roared,

“Prepare to attack! After I cut off his domain, you attack with your full strength. ”

"Yes!"

Fourth Title Douluo was no less furious than Auntie Dong. They were the power of the Spirit Empire, more than the ninety rank Title Douluo, the spirit lord that everyone admired. Played by a single enemy, such that Ghost Douluo was killed instantly, this grievance might not be resolved even by tearing the opponent into ten thousand pieces. The four of them rubbed their fists and rubbed their palms, at the same time fully using their spirit avatars, preparing to attack at any time.

All of this was seen by Tang San through the weakened Blue Silver Domain. Want to kill me by force? Alrighty! I'll let you see my true strength.

Taking a deep breath, Tang San felt the Domain of Slowdown and Gravity gradually dissipate, and lifted the Seagod Trident. He had already used the power of the trident once today, but at that moment he had yet to meet any resistance, and it was not too exhausting for him.

Along with the Seagod Light gushing out, the trident brand on Tang San's forehead and the Trident Seagod in his hand shone simultaneously. His eyes were now completely golden, the Eight Spear Spiders on his back were supporting him, the Seagod Trident pointed forward, and the largest central branch erupted with an intense golden light, turning into an alarming rainbow, turning into a huge one, stabbing straight towards Auntie Dong outside the Blue Silver Domain .

Tang San noticed that Auntie Dong's spirit was also of the evil kind, the Light Seagod should have had the effect of restraining her. Attracting support to the Seagod Trident, the heavenly light that was released was truly considered heavenly.

Auntie Dong's violent expression changed, and the six spiders spiked behind her as well as her changing arms simultaneously gathered in front of her. Eight spearheads on the ground, an intense dark green light suddenly rose along with his first flashing spirit ring. Eight spears rose simultaneously, and instantly, a half-moon-shaped dark green light cut straight forward. Just in time to clash with the golden light released from Tang San, the Seagod Trident.

With a loud boom, violent clashes instantly left their two domains in chaos. Tang San's Blue Silver Domain's chaos level was a little clearer. In that domain, he took three steps back before standing firm, his face deathly pale, and could not help but whisper: he:

"A wicked energy like that. ”

If what Ghost Douluo could say was only ghostly energy formed as a spirit, then, what Auntie Dong possessed was evil energy, an extremely pure evil that only Tang San felt when faced with the King of Slaughter, when the King of Slaughter was still not Tang San's great-grandfather, Tang Chen, and still did not wake up.

The evil aura Auntie Dong emitted was even purer than the Slaughter King at that moment, even greater. Just as Tang San judged, his spirit power was truly too great, and even with the Seagod Trident helping to dissolve most of the impact, he was still forced back three steps, his body already injured.